Gas burner



1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR C/MBLEJA WEBBE/Q ATTORN 5Y5 Nov. 226, 1935. c. A. WELBBER GAS BURNE Filed Aug. 26.

Nov. 26, 1935. c, wEB 2,022,066

GAS BURNER Filed Aug. 25, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lb E I INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE oAs BURNER CharlesA. Webber, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application August 25, 1933, Serial No. 686,695

7 Claims.

This invention relates to gas burners. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide means to automatically shut-off the flow of gas into said burner when the gas flowing through the burner openings thereof is unignited for one reason or another.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means to automatically shut-01f the gas supply to the burner at the conclusion of a de- 10 termined time interval. 7

Another object of the present invention is to provide means controlled by a thermally responsive element positioned adjacent the burner openings of said burner to prevent the operation of 15 said automatic shut-off means at the conclusion i the determined time interval, if the gas flowing from the burner is ignited, the said means being inoperative to so prevent said automatic shutofi means, if the gas is not ignited.

Still another object of thepresent invention is to provide an improved safety burner for gas stoves and the like.

Other objects and advantages will become ap parent as the invention is more fully disclosed.

In accordance with the objects of the present invention, I have devised an improved safety burner in which means are provided to automatically shut-oii the gas fiow to the said. burner at the conclusion of a determined time interval from 30' l the time of initiating the gas flow, which means is rendered inoperative to shut-off said gas flow by means controlled by a thermally responsive ele ment positioned adjacent the burner outlet openings and in thermal relationship thereto while the 5' gas flowing through the said burner openings is ignited, which thermally responsive means is inoperative to shut-off said gas flow if the gas flowing through said burner openings fails to ignite or subsequent to ignition is extinguished from any "cause whatsoever. The present invention contemplates two specific embodiments of the broad idea involved.

In one specific embodiment of the present invention the automatic time controlled gas shutoff means of the present invention comprises a pivoted end closure member positioned to fall by gravity in an end closing position across the gas outlet opening of the usual type of gas supply nozzle of a burner, and clock controlled means adapted to be energized by a turning of a valve controlling the flow of gas through said nozzle, to deflect the said end closure member from an end closing position and to permit its return to said end closing position at the conclusion of a de- 55" termined time interval.

In combination with this automatic time controlled gas shut-off means, I provide means controlled and operated by a thermally responsive element positioned adjacent the gas outlet openings of said burner and in thermal relationship therewith, to prevent the return of said end closure member to an end closing position at the conclusion of said determined time interval, while the gas from said burner is ignited, which means operates to release said member to return to an end closing position when and if the gas is subsequently extinguished.

In a second specific embodiment the automatic time controlled gas shut-off means comprises a conical plug member located upon the end of a bell crank device, the opposite end of which is weighted to maintain the conical plug in a position sealing the outlet opening of a gas supply nipple to a gas burner. This arrangement provides for a better clearing of the gas outlet open- I ing of the gas supply nipple than the arrangement of elements in my first specific embodiment. In combination with this bell crank device I provide a clock mechanism operatively connected to be energized by a turning of the handle of the valve controlling the entrance of gas to the said nipple and provide also means to displace the said plug member from an end closing on the said nipple simultaneously with the turning of the said handle for a determined time interval.

In combination with this automatic time controlled gas shut-01f means I also provide means as in the first specific embodiment to prevent the return of the said plug to an end closing position at the conclusion of the said time interval if the burner is ignited, said means being substantially a thermal responsive element connected by means of suitable levers to operate to prevent the return of the said plug to an end closing position, if and while the gas flowing from the burner is ignited.

I will describe the two specific modifications in detail.

' Before further disclosing the nature and scope of the present invention reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l is a side elevational View partly'in section of the first specific embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a View broken away in part taken along plane 2 2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view of the same'taken along plane 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view along plane I- I, Fig. and Fig. 8 is a view along plane 88, Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive the first specific embodiment of the present invention 5 comprises the usual type of gas range burner I having a gas intake port 2 into which is introduced a gas supply nipple 3 attached to valve 4 connected with main supply pipe 5. Valve 4 is turned in its seat by handle 5.

1. Upon the gas outlet end of nipple 3, I provide flange 1 from which is pivotally suspended drop rod 8 weighted at its lower end 9 to hang normally across the outlet opening of nipple 3. Drop rod 8 is provided with a plug Ill positioned thereon to 5 entirely close the outlet opening of nipple 3 when the drop rod 8 is in a vertically hanging position. This provides for the gravity operating gas shutoif means of the present invention.

In accordance with the objects of the present invention I provide clock controlled means to displace the gravity operating means from its gas shut-off position and to return the said gravity operating means to its gas shut-off position at the conclusion of a determined time interval, the said clock controlled means being set in operation by the opening of valve 4 by the turning of handle 6. In the specific embodiment disclosed in Fig. 1 this is accomplished by positioning a clock means I I including a clock spring with winding post I3 and balance wheel I4 which clock means is enclosed in housing I5 bevalve 4 and connecting the winding post of the clock drive spring to the valve so that upon rotation of the valve upon a turning of the 5 -handle 6 the winding post is also rotated and the clock spring thereby is wound up.

An ordinary one day clock spring requires 6 or '7 full turns of the winding post to fully wind up the spring. One turn therefore is sufficient 4C0 a 4 hours run. A quarter turn is sufiicient for an hours run. The present invention contemplates a time interval of about 2 minutes and accordingly a clock spring of a size to accord with this requirement may be utilized.

It is essential however to the present invention that the connection between valve 4 and the clock spring be such that upon a turning of the valve 5 from a gas shut-off position to a full open position the clock spring be wound and the 50' :cEock mechanism be set in motion, and that thereafter the valve and the clock mechanism independently operative to the extent that e valve is not thereafter reversed upon the unding of the clock spring and that the valve 5 'unay thereafter be reversed to cut oif the gas flow in part or in whole independently of the clock mechanism and that the clock mechanism no free to operate to perform its desired function independently of the valve.

One means of accomplishing this is disclosed in the first specific embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

Basically the means disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive comprises a ratchet arrangement of 65" elements which operates upon a turning of the valve t a quarter turn to rotate the clock spring winding post of the clock control mechanism to wind up the clock spring a desired amount. Means are provided to release the ratchet con- 70i-rnection at the conclusion of the quarter turn rotation of the valve and to maintain this release position until the valve has been manually rotated in a reverse direction to the gas shut-off position whereupon the ratchet engagement of 75* the valve and clock control means is automatically restored. As a clock mechanism normally requires agitation of a balance wheel to put it in motion, I provide trip means operative at the conclusion of the quarter turn of the valve 4 to initiate motion in the said balance wheel. 5

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, housing I5 enclosing the clock mechanism II is preferably supported from the bottom of valve 4 with the rotating end I6 of the valve extending thereinto. To the end I6 is attached cam I! to be rotated thereby. I then provide winding post I3 with a ratchet wheel I8 and position the axial centers of the winding post and the valve 4 in substantial alignment. On the under side of cam I7 I position pivoted lever member I9 having at one end a ratchet tooth 28 adapted to engage with ratchet wheel I8 and at the other end a roller I9 and provide spring means 2! operating to maintain the end in engagement with ratchet wheel I8.

A split track 22 is provided for roller I9 to travel 20 on.

Upon a turning of valve 5 from a gas shut-off position to full open position cam I! is rotated to dotted line position shown as Ila. Ratchet wheel I8 is rotated therewith until roller I9 en- 25 gages spring 23 which operates to depress roller 59 through the split track 22 thus raising tooth end it from engagement with ratchet wheel I8. Valve 4 then may be rotated in a reverse direction as roller 59 rides on the under side of split track 22 thus maintaining the toothed end 26 out of engagement with ratchet wheel it until a full gas shut-off position has been reached whereupon roller I9 rides ofi the end of split track 22 and spring 2i operates to return roller I9 to a position whereupon again opening the valve roller I9 rides upon the top of split track 2'2, meanwhile toothed end it has been engaged with ratchet wheel i8 substantially as indicated. The clock mechanism I i which has been wound up by the opening of valve 4 meanwhile is free to operate independently of the valve 4.

The mere turning of valve 4 and consequent winding of spring I2 in the manner described is not sufficient to set the clock mechanism in mo- I5 tion. Tripper means must be provided to agitate the balance wheel It. In the present specific embodiment this is accomplished as is disclosed in Fig. 3 by positioning a pivoted lever 24 having one arm (2%) extending above the balance wheel I 4 in a position to engage with an extension 25 on cam I'iand having the other arm 26 extending in a position towards the balance Wheel I4 to trip the balance wheel it upon engagement of the arm 26 with extension 25. Spring tension means 21 is provided to maintain the tripper mechanism in an operative position. It is preferable to position the tripper mechanism at a point where it will be operated at the conclusion of the spring winding operation, substantially as shown. In accordance with the objects of the present invention I provide means including a push rod 28 positioned substantially in the manner shown and adapted to be engaged by cam II to operate to displace drop lever 8 from a vertically hanging position a sufficient distance to remove plug I (3 from an end closing position in nipple 3 thereby permitting gas flow through the gas outlet opening of the nipple into port 2 of burner I. As the amount of displacement required is relatively small the end 2 of lever 28 is positioned at a point where lever i! will engage therewith as it approaches the conclusion of a quarter turn rotation thus displacing the said end to a position indicated in dotted lines 29a.

When lever 28 has been thus displaced means must be provided to lock the same in the displaced position so as to permit the free reverse rotation of valve 4 to regulate the gas supply to burner And further means must be provided to release the locking means at the conclusion of a determined time interval. V

Thelock means provided in accordance with the present invention by a simple spring clip mechanism 38 situated upon the under side of push rod 28 which is adapted to engage push rod 3! in such manner as to hold rod 28 in its displaced position.

The release means of the present invention is provided by a spring ratchet member 32 pivoted on winding shaft !3 of clock mechanism I having a spring controlled ratchet tooth 33 engaging ratchet Wheel I8 with its opposite end 34 riding on track 35, which track 35 is disposed with respect to the ratchet wheel 8 in a position to gradually pull tooth 33 from engagement therewith as the ratchet wheel is turned in a counterclockwise direction by the unwinding of clock spring !2. The precise time interval to obtain disengagement of tooth 33 can be regulated by means of this track 35.

The end 34 of spring ratchet 32 1s connected by meansof levers 36, 3'! and 38 to the end of rod 3! and operated tomove rod 3! out of engagement with spring clip 30. Thereupon the rod 28 V is free to be moved in a reverse direction by weight 3 of drop rod 8. Spring means 39 is provided to return spring ratchet 32 to its first position.

Before the release of spring clip means 30 I have provided means actuated by a thermally responsive element 40 positioned adjacent the burner to prevent the return of drop rod 8 to an end closing position in nipple 3 if the gas flowing from the burner is ignited.

This means is most simply provided as indicated in Fig. 1 by locating the thermally responsive element 48 in heat relationship with the burner I and operatively connecting this ele-- ment 48 with means adapted to lock the push rod 28 in its displaced position when the gas from the burner is ignited and to unlock or release the said push rod 28 when and if the gas is unignited.

In the specific embodiment shown, the thermally responsive element 40 enclosed by hood 46 is a coil of the common oven type heat indicator which is comprised of thermally sensitive metal, the coil having an extending arm 4! which upon being displaced to a position 4!a by a twisting of the coil 49 under the influence of heat from burner I contacts with lever 42 pivoted at 43 thereby displacing the arm 42 thereof to position 42a, the'other arm 42 being similarly displaced to position 42a. The end of arm 42 is provided with a beveled face 44 adapted to engage when in displaced position 4I'a with a reciprocal beveled faced element 45 (Fig. 4) carried by rod 28 and when engaged rod 28 is displaced sufliciently to release rod 3! of the releasing means from frictional engagement with spring 30, so that the rod 3! may be freely actuated by the said releasetc., the thermally sensitive element 40 operates to release lever 4! thereby releasing element 44 from element 45 and thus releases push rod 28 and drop rod 8 operates by gravity Weight 9 to move rod 28 back to its first position and to thereby position conical plug in an end closing position in nipple 3. The flow of gas to the burner I thereby is interrupted irrespective of the position of valve 4 or the turning of handle 6.]

The second specific embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with particularity in Figs. to 8 inclusive, and the elements common to both specific embodiments carry the same identifying numerals. In Fig. 5 is shown the usual front supply pipe 5 to which is attached the usual turn cock valve 4, with valve handle 6, and nipple '3 to be introduced in the usual way into the air port 2 of burner Attached to the lower end I of the valve 4' is an arm 50 which turns with the handle 6. The gas outlet opening of the nipple 3 is closed and sealed by a pointed conical plug 5! which may be the hooked end of a bell crank device 52 swinging on a pin 53 in a flange 54 on the nipple 3 with its'lower end Weighted as indicated at 55. This bell crank device by gravity normally holds the plug 5! in position to seal the gas outlet opening of nipple-3.

To the front sup-ply pipe 5 is attached in any convenient way as is indicated a simple clock movement enclosed in a box 56. This movement consists of an ordinary clock spring to be wound up by turning a winding post 5! in the usual way. This winding post 5'! extends above the top of the box 56 and has attached to it an arm 6! i which serves on turning to wind up the spring.

On the under side of the arm 50 at its outer end is a hook pawl 58 swinging from a U-flange 59 attached to said under side of arm 50, the hook 66 of said pawl moves by gravity to engage with the arm 6! at its outer end and when the arm 50 is turned to turn on the gas this draws around the arm 6! causing it to wind up the spring. The other end of the pawl 58 as the turn of arm 5!] is nearly completed is caused to be depressed by a bent pin 62 on the top of the box 56, so as to trip or release the hook 60 from the arm 6!. Arm 6! on being released is free to reverse its motion as the clock work runs. A second bent hook 63 is provided which on the turning back of the arm 6! to the gas shut-off position depresses the hook end of the pawl 58 and causes the hook 60 to drop into engaging position for the arm 6!. r

Arm 6! is substantially circular as indicated in Fig. 8, and is provided with a slot 14 in which is engaged pin 64 on rod 10, which provides means to terminate the movement of the clock mechanism when rotation of arm 6 has brought the slot end into engagement with pin 64.

To initiate movement in the clock mechanism the usual type of balance wheel escapement mechanism is provided as indicated in Fig. 3 which is actuated by pin 25 disposed on the under side of arm l1. When arm I! is rotated by handle 6 in turning on the gas, pin 25 trips spring lever arm 24 which moves arm 26 into engagement with one of the spokes of escapement wheel !4, thereby setting the escapement mechanism into motion and energizing the clock mech anism.

The turning of the disk shaped arm 6! serves to push a light bolt towards the sealing plug 5!. This bolt runs in slots 1! and 12, one on box 56 and one on flange 54. The outer end of this bolt 10 reaches to the arm 13 of bell crank 52 to push out the plug 5! from its normal end 75 Z r. ao'agoee closing position in'nipple 3l Bolt 10 remains in this position until the reverse motion of the arm 6| permits the gravity weight at 5| to push it back and the plug 5| again enters and seals 5 the outlet opening of nipple 3. The bolt is controlled entirely by the movement of the arm GI which has a slot 14 following the curve of the arm and in which a pin 64 moves inwardor outward as the arm 6| is turned. The period of f)" time which is desired as a minimum to keep the gas supply open can be predetermined and controlled by the clock movement. It should be sufliciently long to give full opportunity for the thermal control means to operate and keep the 5 gas supply open as long as the burner is litordinarily about 2 minutes will suffice.

After the gas has been turned on the handle 6 can be turned freely, back and forth, to any adjustment of the gas without in any way inter- 6 -fering with the clock control, except to wind the spring.

The mechanism for moving bolt 10 is illustrated in Fig. 8 in which a plane view of the top of the clock box 55 is shown with the arm 6| set on the 5 winding post 51 of the spring of clock mechanism in box 56. Arm 6| has one end shaped as a large sector of a circle set as an eccentric on the winding post 51 with a curved slot 14 in which drops a pin 64 from the bolt 10 which slides 30 though the slots H and 12. The turning of the arm 6| forces the bolt H1 either in or out.

Pawl 58 as may be noted from Fig. 6 is in the shape of a torpedo tapering at both ends.

It is suspended or pivoted between two straps or 35 a U-flange 58 extending from the bottom of arm 59 between which it is balanced on trunnions' 15 at its approximate center. The interior of pawl 58 is hollow and a metal ball 16 is free to roll from end to end therein The weight of ball 16 is sufiicient to keep down the pawl end to which it rolls. The upper end of pawl 58 rests against the arm 58. As the arm 5!! turns with the gas valve handle 6 to or near the end of its full quarter turn the upper end of the pawl encounters a bent pin 63 under which its point passes and the upper end thereby is gradually pressed down until the pawl tilts 'a sufiicient amount to permit the ball 18 to roll down to that end, the hook end 65 being thus raised. "The pawl held in this position permits the turning of gas valve 4 by handle 6 for any desired adjustment of the gas flow therethroug'h. When the gas is turned on the end of the pawl at or near the end of the turning off also encounters fa second bent pin 62 and is in turn depressed and tilted down whereupon the ball 16 rolls to that end and the weight thereof is sufficient to hold the hook 60 in engagement with the arm 6|.

The thermal control means of the second specific embodiment is designed to function to perform the same ultimate result as that of the first specific embodiment but in a different manner.

As in the first specific embodiment thermally responsive coil element 40 is positioned adjacent burner l and is provided with arm 4| which arm 4| upon movement due to heat energy emanating from burner l contacts with end 80 of rod 8| thereby rotating the rod in bearings 82 and 82. End 84 of rod 8| is adapted to be rotated into "a position to contact with extension arm 85 of arm 52 thereby preventing the bell crank device from returning to an end closing position in nipple-'3 upon the release of the push rod Til at the conclusion of the determined time interval. 1 If burner l: is not. ignited the; thermal control means does not operate and the bell crank device is free to operate to shut-off the gas flow at the conclusion of the determined time interval. If burner l subsequently is extinguished from any cause, the reverse movement of arm 4| of the 5 thermal coil 40 operates to permit a reverse movement of rod 8| thereby releasing the bell crank device to operate to close off the gas supply from nipple 3 irrespective of whether valve 4 has been shut-off or not. 10

Having broadly described the present invention and disclosed two specific embodiments thereof it is apparent that many modifications and adaptations may be made from the specific embodiment without departing essentially from 15 the nature and scope thereof, and all such modifications and adaptations are contemplated as may fall within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a gas burner, gravity op- 20 erated means to cut off the flow of gas into said burner, time controlled means to maintain said gravity operated means in inoperative position for a determined time interval, and thermally responsive means controlling the release of said gravity means from said inoperative position at the conclusion of said determined time interval.

2. In combination, a gas burner, a supply pipe therefor, gravity operated means in said supply pipe operative to cut oii the flow of gas into said {:0 burner, timing means operative on the initiation of gas flow into said burner to maintain said gravity operated means in an inoperative position for a determined time interval, and thermally responsive means in heating relationship to said burner and operative when heated to control the release of said gravity operated means at the conclusion of said determined time interval.

3. In the combination defined and claimed in claim 2, said gravity operated means compris- 40 ing a plug member pivotally supported and weighted to hang vertically in an end-closing position across the gas outlet opening of said supply pipe conducting gas into said burner.

4. In the combination defined and claimed in claim 2, said timing means comprising a clock mechanism, a valve in said supply pipe, means to connect said clock mechanism with said valve whereby said clock mechanism is set in operation by the opening of said valve, a push rod means operatively connected with said valve to render inoperative said gravity operated means upon the opening of said valve during a determined time interval, and means operative at the conclusion of said determined time interval to release said push rod thereby permitting the return of said gravity operated means to its operative position.

5. In combination, a gas burner, valve controlled means to supply gas thereto, gravity oper- 0 ating means to shut off the gas supply on the burner side of said valve controlled means, means operating on the opening of said valve to positicn said gravity operating means in an inoperative position, means to maintain said gravity operated means in said inoperative position for a determined time interval, and thermally controlled means operated by the heat energy of said burner to control the release of said gravity means at and after the conclusion of said determined time interval.

6.. In the combination defined and claimed in claim 2, said gravity operated means comprising a plug member adaptedto seal the end of the gas supply, and a bell crank device pivotally supported and carrying said plug member in a position to normally bring said plug member into position to seal the gas outlet end of said pipe.

'7. In the combination defined and claimed in 5 claim 2, said thermally responsive means including a thermally responsive element and a lock rod, said lock rod being responsive to movement of said element to lock said gravity operating means in an open position when said burner is operating and to release said gravity operating means from said locked position when and if the said burner ceases '00 operate.

CHARLES A. WEBBER. 

